About Keiki Rise
What is Keiki Rise?
What is Keiki Rise?
What is Keiki Rise?
Keiki Rise is a free, intensive six-month business incubator program that helps scale keiki-owned businesses in Hawai‘i. At Keiki Rise, we provide participants with workshops and pop-up markets designed to elevate their business skills and offer hands-on experience. We also host our annual Keiki Rise Showcase, where we feature our hardwor
Keiki Rise is a free, intensive six-month business incubator program that helps scale keiki-owned businesses in Hawai‘i. At Keiki Rise, we provide participants with workshops and pop-up markets designed to elevate their business skills and offer hands-on experience. We also host our annual Keiki Rise Showcase, where we feature our hardworking youth entrepreneurs and celebrate their entrepreneurial journeys.
Our Mission
What is Keiki Rise?
What is Keiki Rise?
Our mission at Keiki Rise is to empower keiki in Hawai'i to unlock their entrepreneurial potential, cultivate innovative thinking, and support sustainable businesses that contribute positively to Hawai'i’s growing economy ensuring that future generations can thrive and prosper in the place they call home.
Why Keiki Rise?
What is Keiki Rise?
Why Keiki Rise?
Here at Keiki Rise we believe Engaging in entrepreneurship from an early age allows keiki to develop essential skills that will benefit them in various aspects of life. They will learn the importance of problem-solving, critical thinking, decision-making, communication, teamwork, and resilience. These skills will not only contribute to th
Here at Keiki Rise we believe Engaging in entrepreneurship from an early age allows keiki to develop essential skills that will benefit them in various aspects of life. They will learn the importance of problem-solving, critical thinking, decision-making, communication, teamwork, and resilience. These skills will not only contribute to their entrepreneurial endeavors but also lay the foundation for their future success.
Workshops
At Keiki Rise we provide workshops that are lead by our sponsors and are designed to equip keiki entrepreneur's with knowledge taught by our mentors. The goal of our workshops is to empower young entrepreneurs by providing them with the essential skills they need to succeed in their business ventures and help them develop a strong foundation for their entrepreneurial journeys. The workshops also create a supportive environment where the youth entrepreneurs can connect and network with their mentors and peers.
Pop-up Markets
As part of the Keiki Rise program, young entrepreneurs are given the unique opportunity to participate in specially organized pop-up markets at various mall across Oa, where they can showcase and sell their products to the public. These events not only offer hands-on experience in managing a small business—such as marketing, customer service, and sales—but also help build confidence, financial literacy, and valuable community connections. Through these markets, participants gain real-world insights into entrepreneurship in a supportive, youth-centered environment.
Annual Keiki Rise Showcase
At the conclusion of each Keiki Rise cohort, we host the Annual Keiki Rise Showcase designed to highlight the growth, creativity, and hard work of our young entrepreneurs. During this event, we provide pupus, local headline artists preforming live and participants are given the platform to present their products, demonstrate their talents, and pitch their business ideas to a live audience that may include family, friends, community members, and local business leaders. The showcase not only allows these emerging entrepreneurs to gain public speaking experience and receive valuable feedback, but also serves as a powerful culmination of their journey—celebrating their achievements and inspiring others with their innovation and dedication.
Meet Our Team
Coen Cadinha
Howzit, my name is Coen Cadinha, and I’m a 17-year-old Native Hawaiian entrepreneur born and raised in Hauʻula. I’m the proud owner of Big Boy Sweets and the founder and CEO of Keiki Rise, a youth-focused organization to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs in Hawaiʻi.
My entrepreneurial journey kicked off when I was just 12 years old. It all started with a small hustle selling candy and snacks to classmates at school. What began as a small side gig quickly turned into a passion. I eventually took my business to local pop-up markets.
and had the opportunity to join the Mana-Up program, which helped me scale my business.
In 2023, when I was 15, I was honored to receive the Hawaiʻi Student Entrepreneur of the Year award. That recognition pushed me to think beyond just my own business—it sparked the idea for Keiki Rise. I founded Keiki Rise with the mission of helping young entrepreneurs like myself grow, learn, and thrive!
Leah Mahealani Dakroub
Aloha! My name is Leah, and I'm a 17-year-old Native Hawaiian artist and the proud owner of my business, Mahea Leah. My entrepreneurial journey began at the age of eight, when I wrote and self-published my first book, The Feeling Flower, at just ten years old.
At 14, I expanded my creative horizons into graphic arts, where I began designing Hawaiian food enamel pins and stickers.
Every step of my journey has been driven by my love for my culture and art. I participated in the Keiki Rise cohort in 2024 and won Mayor's Choice; Keiki Entrepreneur Of The Year Award. So I’m very excited to be working with Keiki Rise their program manager so I can inspire more keiki entrepreneurs like me!